Seven Terps Named to Preseason All-Big Ten Team

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Led by wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Deon Long, seven Maryland football players have been named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big Ten Team, the publication announced Thursday.

Diggs and Long both earned first team honors as two of the three wide receivers on the squad. Diggs finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards last season despite missing the last five games with a leg injury. In seven games, Diggs had 34 receptions for 587 yards and three touchdowns and averaged 83.9 yards receiving per game.

Long, who also missed the final five games of the season due to injury, averaged 15.3 yards per reception in 2013 and 69.9 yards per game. Long finished the season with 489 yards receiving with one touchdown.

Five Maryland defensive players earned spots on the defensive unit. Defensive back Sean Davis, linebacker Cole Farrand and defensive lineman Andre Monroe all were named to the third team. Davis led the team in tackles last season with 102 and had two interceptions.

Farrand ranked second on the team in tackles. The senior totaled 84 tackles including 4.5 for a loss. Monroe was a constant presence in the opponent’s backfield last season. Monroe led the team in tackles for loss (17.0) and sacks (9.5).

Defensive back William Likely and linebacker Matt Robinson were fourth team selections. Likely had a strong freshman campaign last season totaling a team-high seven passes defensed with one interception. Robinson finished fourth on the team in tackles (73) and racked up 10.0 tackles for loss.

After converting 21-of-24 field goals a season ago, kicker Brad Craddock earned a spot on the second team special teams unit. Likely also received a nod on special teams being named to the third team as a punt returner.